The Park Bugle continues to do a great job of reporting on
local issues in our community. Editor Kristal Leebrick now sends out a preview
of the some of the stories that will be included in the upcoming issue.
February’s edition contains stories on two local responses to the recent
incidents of gun violence that have brought the issue of gun control into the
headlines again.

I mentioned that there were meetings in our neighborhood
last week on both gun control and energy conservation. We’re fortunate to live
in a community where people care enough to get involved, and where we have
professional journalists who cover that involvement and report back to us.
You’ll also find articles about the interim president of Luther Seminary, the
City’s attempt to enlarge District 10 and the Bugle’s annual poetry contest.

D12 – The Creative Enterprise Zone is getting more press,
this time from the Finance & Commerce newsletter. The report references the St. Paul Planning
Commission’s pending decision on the proposed plan amendment this Friday that
would include the zone in the city’s long-range vision and set the zone’s
boundaries. There will also be a public hearing on Friday, March 8, if the
Planning Commission approves. The proposal to establish the CEZ as the land
between Interstate 94 and Energy Park Drive, and from the Minneapolis border to
Prior Avenue. That would include both the Raymond and Westgate LRT stations.
Supporters say this move will help them secure funding and help create a distinctive
identity for the community of artists, non-profits, creative businesses and
industry that now make up this emerging neighborhood. In addition to the Comp
Plan amendment, community organizers will soon roll out a new website with
plans to create a “Creative Rolodex” that would serve as a guide to creatives
and events in the area...D12 is currently looking for new board members.

Schools – StAP Elementary students are trying to help raise
their goal of $12,000 for this year's Read-a-Thon. The theme is “Goat for It”
and it kicks off Feb. 7 running through Feb. 19. If the students read more than 270,000
minutes during the contest, Principal Ann Johnson will milk a goat. The kids
made their goal last year, so Ann should probably loosen up her finger muscles…Murray
was featured on KARE-11 news and the Pioneer Press last week. Members of the
St. Paul Police Dept. visited to talk about their experience helping out with
security at President Obama’s recent inaugural festivities…There was an
informational meeting at Murray on Jan. 17 where a lot of info was shared about
the transition to including 6th graders this fall. Visit the Murray
website to find
out more.

Listserv – I have to point out a listserv notice re a
musical performance by local music legend Adam Granger this Saturday, Feb. 2 at
7:30pm at the StAP Lutheran Church. Opening for Adam is Doc and the
Dys-Orderlies, a group that includes Doc Dave Lee, Tim Smith from the Carter
Ave. Frame Shop, Danny Pflanz from Speedy Market and my daughter, Julia, on
vocals. The cost is $12 at the door. These are all excellent musicians and neat
neighbors so it should be fun…the St. Anthony Park Energy Resilience Group has three upcoming
events planned. The first is coming up on Feb. 5 at 7Pm at the Carleton Lofts,
2285 University Ave. Tim Wulling will present on the topic of Plan C: Dealing with Climate Change, Peak Oil, and
Rising Inequality.

StAPnotes - Alpha
Gamma Rho fraternity on Cleveland Avenue in our neighborhood is set to
expand. Apparently, the fraternity is completing its capital
campaign and has received most of the required approvals to begin a major
improvement project. The facility will expand in size and amenities, but
will keep the same capacity of 50 students…The Colossal got another nice review
in recent Vitamin issue. The local weekly loved just about everything about it.
Kudos to owners, Elizabeth and John Tinucci for doing us proud.

About Me

Jon Schumacher - Executive Director

Hi, I'm Jon Schumacher, the Executive Director of the Saint Anthony Park Community Foundation. The Foundation's role is to understand our community needs, bring people together to help find solutions and then support their implementation. I am the point person for that and the blog is my way of keeping my board and neighbors up-to-date on all that is happening around District 12.